Maison Gobineau
Historic Building in
Standing just off the Esplanade des Quinconces, the elegant Maison Gobineau is one of Bordeaux’s most architecturally distinctive buildings. At first glance, its sharp-angled structure might remind you of another iconic landmark—the Flatiron Building in New York City. And the resemblance isn’t coincidental. Designed by the celebrated architect Victor Louis in 1789, the mansion was built in the shape of a ship’s prow, its pointed façade intentionally evoking the feeling of a vessel ready to set sail toward the nearby Atlantic. This was a powerful symbol in a city shaped by maritime trade and global commerce.
Originally constructed as a private residence, Maison Gobineau has had a varied life over the centuries, mirroring Bordeaux’s own evolution. In the 20th century, it became a local cinema and later housed the city’s first Citroën dealership—an early sign of modernity taking hold in the historic heart of town. Its position at the intersection of Allées de Tourny and Cours du 30-Juillet also made it a highly visible landmark, a gateway between the commercial centre and the more formal spaces of the Quinconces.
Since 1948, Maison Gobineau has served as the headquarters of the Bordeaux Wine Council (Le Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux), the body that oversees and promotes the region’s world-renowned wines. The building now hosts events, exhibitions, and wine-related programming, and its third floor is home to an elegant wine bar that offers tastings of Bordeaux’s diverse appellations. Whether admired from outside for its graceful symmetry or explored within for its deep connection to the local wine industry, Maison Gobineau continues to embody Bordeaux’s blend of tradition, innovation, and timeless charm.
The Maison Gobineau appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting !
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Visiting Maison Gobineau
Nearby Attractions
- Le Grand-Théâtre, Bordeaux (0.1) km
Theatre in Bordeaux - Esplanade des Quinconces (0.2) km
Fountain and Square in Bordeaux - Place du Parlement (0.4) km
Square in Bordeaux - Place de la Bourse, Bordeaux (0.4) km
Square in Bordeaux - Porte Dijeaux, Bordeaux (0.5) km
City Gate in Bordeaux - Église Saint-Pierre (0.5) km
Church in Bordeaux - Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design de Bordeaux (0.6) km
Museum in Bordeaux - Tour Pey-Berland (0.7) km
Tower in Bordeaux - Cathédrale Saint-André (0.7) km
Cathedral in Bordeaux - Palais Rohan (Hôtel de ville de Bordeaux) (0.7) km
Palace and Town Hall in Bordeaux
